"I gotta study [Darrelle] Revis and Joe [Haden]," Slay said. "They are more my type of corner, more in your face, try to travel guys, follow you wherever you want to go. Just trying to take [the] best player out of the game.

"I look at [Richard] Sherman, too, just because his ball skills, he's probably got the best ball skills in the NFL that I've seen in my past years. If the ball's in the air, he's getting it. Other than that, I love to watch Revis and Joe."

Slay played in all 16 games for the Lions last season, recording 61 tackles and two interceptions.

Lions CB Darius Slay dealing with bruises on hands

by Sean d'Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(6/4/2015)Lions coach Jim Caldwell said Thursday that cornerback Darius Slay is suffering from self-inflicted bruises on both of his hands, reports The Oakland Press.

Slay will miss the next few days of workouts because of the injuries. He had both of his hands wrapped.

Lions D-coordinator expecting Darius Slay to keep getting better

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(4/3/2015)Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin gives a lot of credit to cornerback Darius Slay in helping transform the Detroit defense into a top defensive unit in 2014, per the team's official website. Detroit had a top-10 pass defense and was the second-best overall defense in the NFL, yielding 295.9 yards per game.

“Darius did a great job,” Austin said. “The thing that you noticed right away, obviously, he has ability, but he has a lot of confidence."

Slay admitted he had a confidence issue as a rookie in 2013, but he corrected the issue in the offseason leading up to the 2014 campaign. He finished with 61 tackles, 17 pass defenses and two interceptions in his second year in the NFL.

“He plays, what I would think, might be one of the hardest positions in the National Football League,” Austin said. “Playing out there at corner and playing by himself. He has a lot of things he does on his own and he held his own. He more than held his own.

“I’m excited. I know he’s working hard. He’ll come back and we just hope he keeps ascending.”

Lions unveil final injury report for Week 15

by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12/12/2014)Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley (knee) was ruled out for Sunday's clash against the Vikings, according to the team's final injury report released on Friday. Running back Reggie Bush (ankle) and linebacker Tahir Whitehead (shoulder) were deemed questionable.

Lions counting on Darius Slay as starter

by Larry Hartstein | Senior Analyst

(3/30/2014)Lions cornerback Darius Slay was inconsistent as a rookie but the team is counting on him as a starter in 2014, according to the team's website.

“He has a lot of work to do,” general manager Martin Mayhew said. “I think he’s up to the challenge. He finished up strong for us the last half of the season. I’m looking forward to seeing him this season.”

The Lions are expected to play more aggressive, man-to-man coverage under new coordinator Teryl Austin, a style that suits Slay's strengths, the report said.

Lions want consistency from up-and-down Darius Slay

by Larry Hartstein | Senior Analyst

(2/10/2014)Lions cornerback Darius Slay had an up-and-down rookie year after being drafted 36th overall. He began the season as a starter, lost the job to Rashean Mathis, then made the most of another chance to start when he replaced the injured Chris Houston on Thanksgiving.

In that 40-10 win over Green Bay, Slay had three passes defensed and two tackles.

"You know, he had some things, he had some growing pains," new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin told the team's website. "There were some times he didn't look very good and there were some times he looked outstanding.

"Our goal is to try to get him to be consistent, to be a consistent player. That way, that talent will start to take over."

A knee injury cost Slay three games. He finished with 34 tackles and six passes defensed. He'll get every opportunity to earn a starting job in 2014, according to the website.

Six Lions probable Week 17

Delmas has been playing through a knee injury all season. Mathis has an illness, but practiced in full all week.

Darius Slay returns to practice

by Larry Hartstein | Senior Analyst

(12/25/2013)Lions cornerback Darius Slay, who's been out since undergoing knee surgery Dec. 6, returned to practice Wednesday, reports MLive.com. Detroit wraps up the season Sunday at Minnesota.

Four injured Lions get the green light

by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12/22/2013)The Lions have ruled Louis Delmas (knee), DeAndre Levy (foot), Darius Slay (knee) and John Wendling (ankle) active for Sunday's game against the Giants in Week 16. Slay was the biggest surprise among the injured players, as he was originally ruled doubtful for the game on Friday.

Chris Houston, Darius Slay not looking good for Monday

by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com

(12/14/2013)The Lions will likely be without a pair of defensive backs in Week 15 against the Ravens Monday, based on Saturday's injury report. Chris Houston (toe) and Darius Slay (knee) are both doubtful for Monday's game, after being held out of practice throughout the week.

Darius Slay doesn't travel, won't play in Week 14

by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com

(12/7/2013)Lions defensive back Darius Slay (knee) will not play in Week 14 against the Eagles, as he did not make the trip with the team to Philadelphia Saturday, according to the team's official website.

Darius Slay doubtful Week 14

by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(12/6/2013)Lions running back Darius Slay is doubtful Week 14 against the Eagles.

Slay suffered a "freak" knee injury in practice Thursday, according to head coach Jim Schwartz. He was limited in practice Thursday.

Darius Slay taking demotion in stride

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9/25/2013)Lions rookie Darius Slay is taking his demotion from starter in stride, according to the Detroit Free Press. Slay has gone from starting the first two games to receiving no playing time on defense Week 3 at Washington.

"I took it serious, but it’s a team effort here," he said. "And I knew I was going to end up with a potential look; my name could be called at any time, so I had to game-plan seriously just as always, like I was starting. So it wasn’t a big issue."

Slay has been replaced in the starting lineup by Rashean Mathis, but coach Jim Schwartz continues to believe Slay has a bright future in the NFL.

"They tell me the same thing," Slay said. "It’s a learning process. It’s just like I learned with the zone concepts. They say I’m a great man player, but I’ve got to learn the concepts of how to match players better and all that. So right now I’m just learning, watching ’Shean and getting better."

Lions coach says Darius Slay is still starter

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9/9/2013)Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Monday cornerback Darius Slay is "still our starter out there." The Lions replaced Slay with Rashean Mathis late in the game Week 1 vs. Minnesota.

Slay has knee surgery

by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer

(5/7/2013)ESPN reports Lions rookie cornerback Darius Slay underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last Friday but is expected to be ready for the start of training camp. The night he was drafted Slay said he didn't think he needed surgery for a torn meniscus suffered during a March workout.

Lions add CB Slay

by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer

(4/26/2013)The Lions have selected Mississippi State cornerback Darius Slay in the second round of the NFL draft. Slay had five interceptions last season and returned one of them for a touchdown. He reportedly has a torn meniscus that won't require surgery.